An animal protection organisation has criticised greyhound racing at Oxford Stadium as carrying unavoidable risks following a television company’s choice to discontinue its coverage of events there.

Sports Information Services confirmed it would cease transmitting racing content from the Sandy Lane facility, a move labelled detrimental to the sport.

The racing broadcaster told the Racing Post that Oxford and Suffolk Downs would be dropped from its schedule commencing Monday.

This action will effectively bring operations at both locations to an end under the service. SIS explained the decision was taken as the gambling industry braces for alterations to betting duties and taxes detailed in the Autumn Budget.

The specific consequences for the stadium’s future operations continue to be unclear.

The RSPCA voiced support for the development on Thursday, April 2, issuing a statement that labelled greyhound racing as presenting unavoidable hazards.

Sam Gaines, the RSPCA’s director of pet welfare, said uncertainty over greyhound racing at Oxford Stadium shows the sector is outdated and unnecessary, with popularity clearly waning.

Greyhound racing creates unavoidable risks for the dogs involved, and industry statistics indicate thousands of injuries have occurred recently, together with hundreds of dog deaths.

Allowing animals to endure suffering simply for entertainment cannot be defended.

Wales and Scotland have recently taken decisive measures to wind down this practice, and the organisation strongly urges the UK Government to follow suit and bring greyhound racing in England to an end.